Road King 2 Combo

[RK2Jem]

Hello all, I'm new to the club of Boogie owners, and I figured I would start out with the Road King 2 because of it's versatility.

One thing I have noticed in my few first days with the amp is that channel 2 is virtually worthless. I don't know if any of you guys have found any tones that are useful on CH2, but I have yet to. I have tried the tubescreamer chorus compressor combo through the channel with a strat, and still just couldn't ever find that feel that I was looking for.

Channel 1 rocks. I love the clean, and it breaks down really nice if you want it to.

Channel 3 is killer for the EL34 6L6 combinations. I use it right now primarily for the less thrashy, more mid bass, lower gain type of sound.

And we all know that channel 4 is freakin sweet. 4 6L6's, diodes, 2 o'clock gain 2 o'clock bass, 11 o'clock mid, 3 o'clock treble, noon presence, (in angelic chorus) ahhhhhhhhhhhh......


Also, I have to add, I'm having a real time trying to figure out how to keep loop 1 from overpowering everything else. I've tried dropping the send volume, but it seems to do nothing but just make everything quieter. Then, when I adjust the output, all it does is make everything louder, including the loops.

If any of you guys could clue a total noob in on how to make the loop volume the same as the output volume, I would be much appreciative.
Any of you guys out there use the Road King? I could use some tips from some more seasoned owners..

 

[konstantine RK]

I am have the same problem with my FX loops in my RK1.

the dry signal is alot louder than the looped signal and I use eventide stompboxes with the series and parellel loops. I will try dialing in the channel loops this week but until further notice the loops are switched on

Channel 2 is good for another clean tone .... keep playing with it

 

[mrd]

Channel 2 is definitely usable, but I agree it's tough to dial in. I don't play with it too often but there are some good gritty-clean tones in there.

As for the loop, set the send knob on the back to 12 o'clock, otherwise known as unity gain. This means the send knob is not adding or subtracting any amount of gain, it is simply passing off exactly what is given to it to the loop effects.

From here, you should be able to set your individual channel volumes so they are all equal and then use the output knob to raise overall volume. I don't use the loops too often, but this should work. Keep in mind, the RK is a high-end amp, so if you're using ****-box effects, you might be SOL.

As for your CH4 settings... they make me cringe. I remember going to a live show once where some dude had a recto and it sounded like a jar of bees, and he was utterly buried in the mix. I would guess he dialed his CH4 similar to yours. To get a good idea of what the classic recto growl is, just set everything to noon, including volume. Dial your presence to taste, I would keep it around 9o'clock. This should get you the sound that rectos are famous for.

For lower volume playing, I'll run my gain/treble a bit higher, around 12:30, 1o'clock. Bass and mids usually hover around noon at all times unless it's super late in which case I'll drop my bass down to 9o'clock.

 

[b0nkersx]

My favorite CH2 settings: Brit mode, 2EL34s (add 6L6s to taste)
Treble, Mid, Bass, Gain: completely cranked
Presence: 0
Diode, bold
Loop hard-bypassed
Master at 10:00 or more.

 

[RK2Jem]

I've tried setting the send to 12 o'clock and dialing in all 4 channels and using the output to level out the sound... No good... The effects loops still sound way out front when they are activated... I've thought about calling a tech to see if maybe he knows something I haven't read about yet

My stomp boxes sound really good through the amp... I'm just having a really hard time utilizing the effects loops like I believe I should be able to.

I'm looking for a 412 to go with it, anyone have any suggestions? I've heard that Marshall was the way to go, but I have yet to hear one with a Boogie. I've heard the big Rectifier cabs and I thought they sound pretty friggin sweet.

 

[b0nkersx]

I've tried setting the send to 12 o'clock and dialing in all 4 channels and using the output to level out the sound... No good... The effects loops still sound way out front when they are activated... I've thought about calling a tech to see if maybe he knows something I haven't read about yet

My stomp boxes sound really good through the amp... I'm just having a really hard time utilizing the effects loops like I believe I should be able to.

I'm looking for a 412 to go with it, anyone have any suggestions? I've heard that Marshall was the way to go, but I have yet to hear one with a Boogie. I've heard the big Rectifier cabs and I thought they sound pretty friggin sweet.

Mate, if you don't use effects in the loop, you gotta bypass the loop. With the loop engaged, you have gain, send, master, and output affecting your volume.. it's way too much to tweak IMO, especially because I don't use effects aside from some dirt pedals. If you're set on using the loop, then there's really not much you can do other than work with the four knobs until you have reasonably matching volumes.

Also, if you're still having trouble with channel 2, make channel 1 a breakup-type sound and make channel 2 your clean channel.. but the channel 2 settings I gave you creates my favorite sound in the amp. I don't use a tubescreamer in the brit mode, either. I think it sounds way too throaty and weird.

Also, for cabs, if you can afford it, buy one from these guys:

http://www.millsacoustics.com